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We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea

Swallows and Amazons Series

By:
Arthur Ransome

Narrated by:
Alison Larkin

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
48

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
38

Story

5 out of 5 stars
37

In this latest adventure (following Pigeon Post, winner of the Carnegie Medal), the Walker family has come to Harwich to wait for Commander Walker's return. As usual, the children can't stay away from boats, and this time they meet young Jim Brading, skipper of the well-found sloop Goblin. But fun turns to high drama when the anchor drags, and the four young sailors find themselves drifting out to sea - sweeping across to Holland in the midst of a full gale!

Is a 'darker' story than the others so far.

Would you consider the audio edition of We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version because it's become difficult for me to read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John is the true hero of this episode

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

had to be the ending when 'all was well'

Pigeon Post

Swallows and Amazons Series

By:
Arthur Ransome

Narrated by:
Alison Larkin

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
50

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
38

Story

5 out of 5 stars
38

The crew's on holiday, and they turn their energies to mining for gold, aided by pigeon messengers Homer, Sophocles, and Sappho. The adventurers comb the nearby hills for a fabled lost claim, while being shadowed by a mysterious figure they dub "squashy hat." Undeterred by drought, sudden brushfires, and the continuing presence of Squashy Hat, the young prospectors persevere in their quest - with surprising results.

What does Alison Larkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

as usual, she does an excellent job depicting the various characters.

Who was the most memorable character of Pigeon Post and why?

had to be the wandering pigeon that ultimately helped save the day

Any additional comments?

am truly enjoying this series of books

The Maltese Falcon

By:
Dashiell Hammett

Narrated by:
Eric Meyers

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
2,604

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,407

Story

4 out of 5 stars
2,409

Dashiell Hammett’s
The Maltese Falcon, first serialized in a magazine in 1930, is best known through the iconic Humphrey Bogart film of 1941. But it was the book that created the classic "noir" genre with its tough private detective threading his cool way between the criminals and the law. Sam Spade, the private eye solving the mystery of the Maltese statuette, was the template for Philip Marlowe and a host of others…. but they come no more shrewd and cunning with Hammett peppering the text with one-liners.

What does Eric Meyers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

use of different voices for the characters

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

Any additional comments?

no

Winter Holiday

Swallows and Amazons Series

By:
Arthur Ransome

Narrated by:
Alison Larkin

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
82

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
67

Story

5 out of 5 stars
68

The fourth book in Arthur Ransome's classic series for children,
Winter Holiday takes intrepid explorers John, Susan, Titty, and Roger Walker, and fearsome Amazon pirates Nancy and Peggy Blackett to the North Pole. Joined by budding novelist Dorethes Callum and her scientist brother Dick, the children plan an "Arctic" expedition. But unforseen events seperate the travelers and disaster nearly strikes in the exciting climax of their race to the Pole.